Origin alpha available for Macs, official release "launching soon"

Origin will be "launching soon" for Macs, their official blog states. Before the final release hits the web though, Origin has invited its Mac users to kick the tires on the latest alpha client. Don't get too excited though: the open alpha is only available to a "few thousand" users, so by the time you read this -- you may not be able to sign up. Origin is handing out PopCap's "Bookworm" puzzle game as a free party favor though, for those who do manage to get in.

The EA-owned digital game distribution service says its aims to make Origin for Mac as close to the PC version as possible, so users can expect a very similar experience. Despite the effort though, the Alpha is missing some key features though, most notably the Origin store.

Origin is the brain child of Electronic Arts, a company who certainly has its detractors. Even Origin itself is often dismissed here in the comments, presumably by loyal Steam followers and EA skeptics. But perhaps the biggest take-home message here isn't necessarily the expansion of Origin; rather, it's the increasing viability of Mac OS X as a gaming platform.

Over the years, Macs have gained momentum as a platform fit for gaming. Although Macs are still far behind PCs in terms of title selection and highest-end hardware, Mac users have still been able to enjoy games like Dragon Age, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Starcraft 2.

It's important to note that although Origin is coming to Mac, that doesn't mean all of your favorite EA games will follow. Prior PC-only titles published by EA (e.g. Mass Effect series) will remain PC-only until developers make the appropriate modifications -- a decision which EA and its undersigned game studios may or may not make. However, EA's push for Origin on Mac may imply an emboldened commitment to publishing future titles on the platform -- we'll just have to wait and see.